8.1.55. Which drivers of vehicles are permitted to proceed in this situation?
UAВодіям яких транспортних засобів дозволено рух у даній ситуації?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe passage of regulated intersections and the correct understanding of traffic light signals with an additional section. Such situations often occur in the city: the main signal may prohibit movement, but the additional section simultaneously allows a maneuver in a specific direction. For the theoretical exam, it is important to remember that priority is given not to “intuition,” but to the exact meaning of each signal, because a mistake at an intersection creates a risk of an accident and conflict with vehicles coming from other directions.
The question tests the section of the traffic rules regarding traffic light signals, in particular the application of clause 8.7.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: the red signal of the main traffic light prohibits movement, while a green arrow in the additional section together with the red allows passage only in the indicated direction. That is, when the right arrow is on, only a right turn is allowed, and movement straight or to the left remains prohibited until the main permissive signal appears.
When evaluating the answer options, the statement that movement is allowed for “everyone” is incorrect, because the red signal continues to apply to directions not indicated by the arrow. Options where the red or gray car (left or straight) is allowed to go are also incorrect: there is no permissive signal for these maneuvers, so they must wait. The only correct option is where movement is allowed only for those making a turn in the direction of the green arrow in the additional section, provided that priority is given to other participants moving on their permissive signal.
Clause 8.7.3 b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
“A green signal in the form of an arrow (arrows) on a black background permits movement in the indicated direction(s). An arrow that permits a left turn also permits a U-turn.”
Application to the situation: movement is allowed only in the direction indicated by the green arrow (in the task — to the right), and not “in all directions.”
Clause 8.7.3 e) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
“A red signal, including a flashing one, or two flashing red signals prohibit movement. A signal in the form of a green arrow (arrows) in an additional section together with a yellow or red traffic light signal informs the driver that movement is permitted in the indicated direction provided that vehicles moving from other directions are given unobstructed passage. A green arrow on a plate installed at the level of the red traffic light signal with a vertical arrangement of signals permits movement in the indicated direction when the red traffic light is on from the far right lane (or the far left lane on one-way roads) provided that priority is given to other road users moving from other directions on a permissive traffic light signal.”
Application to the situation: the main red signal prohibits movement “straight” and “to the left,” but the green arrow in the additional section permits movement only “to the right” (provided that priority is given to those moving from other directions on a permissive signal).
Thus, the correct answer is “To the driver of the blue car,” given that by definition of the Traffic Rules, movement is prohibited when the red signal is on, and the green arrow in the additional section simultaneously permits movement only in the indicated direction (to the right) provided that priority is given to other road users.
In this situation, the intersection is controlled by a traffic light. The three cars have different intended directions: the red car plans to turn left, the gray car intends to go straight, and the blue car plans to turn right. This is indicated by their activated turn signals.
The main traffic light is showing a red signal. According to the Traffic Rules (paragraph 8.7.3), a red signal prohibits movement in all directions, unless otherwise permitted by a separate signal.
At the same time as the red light, an additional section with a green arrow to the right is operating. Such a signal means that movement is allowed only in the direction indicated by the arrow, that is, only for a right turn. For all other directions (straight or left), the prohibition established by the red signal of the main traffic light continues to apply.
Therefore, the gray car cannot go straight, and the red car cannot turn left—there is no permissive signal for them, and they must wait for the main green light. The blue car may make a right turn according to the green arrow of the additional section, but must do so cautiously and yield to road users who have the right of way from other directions.
Thus, the correct answer is "The driver of the blue car," since with the main traffic light showing red, only the green arrow of the additional section permits movement, and it specifically indicates the right turn direction.